North GM speaks with Buckley amid coaching search

Former Collingwood head coach and current Geelong assistant Nathan Buckley has emerged as a serious candidate for the vacant North Melbourne role.

The legendary Magpie and former head coach stepped back into coaching with Geelong at the end of 2025, with aspirations of returning to senior coaching at Tasmania.

However, with Ken Hinkley winning the position with the Devils, SEN's Tom Morris has reported that Buckley's attention has turned to the Kangaroos.

"We can tell you tonight that Nathan Buckley, the former Collingwood coach has emerged as a serious candidate to take the North Melbourne vacant coaching job," Morris told 7News.

"The Kangaroos footy boss Todd Viney caught up with Nathan Buckley this morning for coffee.

"North offered Buckley a four-year deal back in '09 before he took over the Collingwood gig.

"Close confidants of Buckley tell me that he is eager to explore the role, and has been doing work on the list and the club for some time."

Earlier this week, Sam Edmund reported that North Melbourne aren't overly eager to explore a second-time head coach, prioritising first-timers as they look to replace Alastair Clarkson.

However, it would appear that Buckley remains in the running after both Adam Simpson and John Longmire opted against exploring the vacant role.